Automobh



T. H. SMITH. AUTOMOBILE ALARM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26. I91?- 1 ,3 1 1,01 9. Patented July 22', 1919.

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iiW w v I Witnesses .1 Inventor,

by I I ,v H- (l I Attorneys THOMAS E. SMITH, \OF EL PASO, TAS.

AUTOMOBILE-RM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented July as, rare.

Application filed September 26, 1917. Serial No. 193,309.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residin at El Paso, in the county of El Paso and tate of Texas, have invented a new and useful Automobile-Alarm, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an alarm or signal device for use uponautomobiles, to prevent theft thereof, it being the object of the invention to provide a novel and im-- proved device of that character which, after the device is set and the vehicle vacated, will, by the starting of the machine, without releasing the device, produce an audible or visual signal, or both, thereb warning others of the-unauthorized use 0 the automobile, in order that the same can be thwarted or the machine recovered.

As a more specific object, the invention has for its'object the provision of a circuit controller between a magneto or generator driven by the engine or other source of electrical ener and the signaling or alarm means, whic may be an electric horn, bell, electric lamp, or the like, the circuit controller being normally open and being readily closed when the car is vacated, so thatasignal will be given immediately when the engine is started and said signal will continue as long as the engine is in operation,

the circuit only being opened by the manipulation of the controller through the medium of a proper key or combination, to prevent tampering therewith. 7

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the 'invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a view of the controller, the cas ing being shown injsection and the other parts in elevatlon.

e is a section on the line 44: of

l n carrying out the invention, there is provided a controller including an electrical switch 1 housed within a casing 2 and connected by conductors 3 with a magneto so or electric generator 4 driven by theautomobile engine 5. The switch 1 is employed for connecting the conductors 3 'with conductors 6 connected to an electric horn 7 or other audible signal, and which may also be connected to electric lamps 8 or other visual signal to be used during the night time. The lamps 8 can be cut out during the day time gy means of a switch 9 in series therewith.

he electric horns now used on automobiles can be employed in connection with the present improvements, as well as signal lamps, although it is to be understood that any suitable signaling means can be utilized for giving the warning or alarm, it being noted that when the switch 1 is closed, the engine 5 in being started and operated will result in the generator or magneto & supplying electrical energy to the signaling means, which will continue to operate as long as the'engine is running.

The casing2 of the controller is secured to the dash or other suitable part of the may be of any suitable construction, but as illustrated, embodies the switch blades 10 pivoted, as at 11, within the casing and engageable with contacts 12 with which the conductors 6 are connected, the conductors 3 .90 being connected with the blades 10. It is preferable to inolose theconductors 3 and? 6 within the conduits 13 for preventing the conductors from being cut or tampered with.

The switch operating means, as shown, embodies a plunger 14 slidable through one wall of the casing to contact with an insulating plate 15 secured to the switch 1, whereby the plunger in being pushed will' me close the switch, by moving the blades 10 thereof against the contacts 12. The plunger 14 has a collar 16 to limit its outward movement, "and the switch is opened when released, by means of a spring 17 connected 105 to the'plate 15 and casing. The lunger 14: has a button 18 at its outer end or the engagement of the thumb or finger.

Means isv provided for holding the switch closed withm the casing when the automobile is vacated. Thus, a U-shaped latch or detent 19 has its terminals pivoted in .the ears 20 projecting from one wall of the easing, whereby the-mter-mediate portion of the latch is movable toward and away from the switch 1, to engage an nsulating plate 21 carried by the blades 10. When the swltch 1 is closed against the contacts' 12, the latch I '19 being swung toward the switch will hold 1 use of a keyor equivalent means, as will the same closed, and the casing inclosing the switch and latch,- will prevent the sw tch from being opened, excepting by access lnto the casing which cannot be had without the hereinafter more fully appear. As shOWn,

the casing 2 is in an u right position with the switch 1' extending ownwardly in pendant position and the latch 19 projecting upwardly, although the parts may be arranged in diiferent positions. The latch 19 is pro vided at one end with a crank arm 22 for convenience in manually moving said latch, and itfis preferable to connect the arm 22 by a spring 23 with the casing, whereby to hold the latch in either releasing or latching positions. Thus, by swinging the latch 19 away i from the switch beyond dead center the spring 22 will serve to hold the latch out of the way, and the switch 1 can therefore be' closed and opened by the movement of the button 18, sothat the-controller can beemployed as a switch for the horn 7 while running-the automobile, and to hold the switch closed, the latch 19 must be manually moved toward the switch. However, should it be desired to automatically hold the switch closed by the pushing of the button 18, the

latch- 19. can be left in place against the switch, said latch bearing against the plate 21, so that when the switch is closed, the

latch will immediately swing into place for holding the'switch closed, thus rendering the latch automatic. It would therefore only be necessary. for the operator to push the button 18, in leaving the car, to lock the and overtaken or stopped. The rightful owner or operator of the automobile can, by

otal center.

mounted in said casing, contact members within the casing and adapted for engagement by said switch blades, a spiral spring attached to said blades andto the casing whereby the blades are normally held out of I contact with said contact members, a U- shaped latch pivoted in the casing and adapted to engage said blades to maintain them. incontact with the contact members,

'anda spring engaging said latch and adapted to maintain the latch respectively in and out of contact with said blades when the latch is atone .side or the other of its ,piv-

2. A device of the character described, includln'g a casing, switch blades pivotally mounted in said casing, contact members within the casing and adapted for engagement by said switch blades, a spiral spring attached to said blades and to the casing whereby the blades are normally held out of contact with said contact members, a U- shaped latch pivoted "in the casing and .adapted to engage said blades to maintain them in contact with the contact members, a spring engaging said latch and adapted to maintain" the latch respectively in and out of contact with said blades when the latch is at one side or the other of its pivotal center, and means operable from the exterior of the casing for placing the blades in position to be engaged by the latch for maintaining Zaid blades in contact with the contact memera- 3. In a device of the character described, a casing, an electric switch therein, a pivoted latch within the casing swingable into and out of engagement with the'switch and arranged to hold the switch in closed position, means for operating the switch from the exterior of the casing, the casing having a door and a lock for the door, and a spring means for holding the latch either in or out of engagement with the switch to move antomatically or manually to latching position, respectively;

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afilxed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS H. SMITH. Witnesses:

R. O. EDMOND, A,.J. VANDYKE. 

